Former Arsenal and AC Milan player Mathieu Flamini, who now serves as CEO of GF Biochemicals, is urging European leaders to reject proposals that would weaken environmental regulations in the name of competitiveness.
Flamini, who earned three caps for the French national team before transitioning to business, argues that dismantling policies like the EU's Emissions Trading System would not help Europe compete with China or the United States. The France-based company he co-founded in 2013 converts agricultural waste into bio-based chemicals used in paints, cosmetics, and cleaning products.
"The reality is, if we believe we're going to remove the carbon tax in Europe and suddenly we're gonna be competitive with China or other [regions], we're lying to ourselves," Flamini told POLITICO in an interview conducted by journalist Jakob Weizman.
What the Left Is Saying
Environmental advocates and progressive policy experts have embraced Flamini's stance, arguing that climate action and economic competitiveness are not mutually exclusive. Supporters of the EU Green Deal contend that investing in clean technology creates long-term strategic advantages rather than undermining industry.
Flamini himself frames the transition as inevitable, drawing comparisons to the shift from combustion engines to electric vehicles. "We have to embrace and accept that there is an evolution like any other industry," he said. Climate activists argue that maintaining strong carbon pricing signals market stability for green investment and protects Europe's strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Progressive economists note that the chemicals sector, already facing pressures from energy prices and geopolitical instability including disruptions from the Iran crisis, needs a clear regulatory framework rather than policy volatility.
What the Right Is Saying
Business groups and some EU member countries have pushed back against carbon pricing, raising concerns about impacts on industrial competitiveness during recent meetings of EU economy ministers. Critics argue that high energy costs and regulatory burdens are driving manufacturing investment away from Europe toward jurisdictions with fewer environmental constraints.
Some industry analysts contend that Europe's emissions trading system places disproportionate costs on domestic manufacturers competing against Chinese and American producers who face different regulatory environments. They advocate for approaches that maintain environmental goals while addressing competitiveness concerns, potentially through border adjustment mechanisms or temporary transitional support.
Conservatives both in Europe and among U.S. allies note that maintaining industrial jobs within the bloc requires policies that do not unilaterally disadvantage European manufacturers.
What the Numbers Show
The EU Emissions Trading System caps greenhouse gas emissions from major industrial sources, requiring companies to purchase permits for each ton of CO2 emitted. Carbon prices have fluctuated significantly in recent years as the bloc has adjusted supply mechanisms.
Europe's chemicals industry represents a substantial portion of the bloc's manufacturing base, though exact employment and output figures vary by reporting source. China and the United States remain major global competitors in biochemical production, with different regulatory frameworks governing emissions and chemical manufacturing.
Energy costs in Europe have risen substantially over recent years due to geopolitical factors, affecting energy-intensive industries including chemicals manufacturing. The EU has implemented various support mechanisms for affected sectors while maintaining its climate commitments.
The Bottom Line
Flamini's perspective represents one voice in an ongoing European debate about how to balance climate commitments with economic competitiveness. His argument that simply removing carbon pricing will not restore competitiveness echoes concerns from some quarters that Europe faces structural challenges beyond regulatory costs.
EU member countries and lawmakers continue to consider options for addressing industrial pressures while maintaining environmental goals. The outcome of these deliberations could shape European chemicals and manufacturing policy for years to come, potentially affecting trade relationships with major competitors China and the United States.